Display Device for Vehicles

The present invention relates to a display device for vehicles that displays a desired display to an occupant in a vehicle.

Conventionally, an in-vehicle display system disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known, for example. In this in-vehicle display system, when the vehicle is switched from a manual driving mode to an automatic driving mode, various information for an occupant (a driver) is switched from virtual image display to real image display, and when the vehicle is switched from the automatic driving mode to the manual driving mode, various information for the occupant (the driver) is switched from real image display to virtual image display.

Further, for example, a field of view control device described in Patent Document 2 is known. This field of view control device controls a seat to move upward or tilt forward when the vehicle is switched to automatic driving.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2019-18804 Patent Document 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2019-48519

In recent years, to further improve driving assistance functions for occupants, a technology for combining the display switching process between a real image and a virtual image as described in Patent Document 1 with the seat switching process of the position or posture of a seat as described in Patent Document 2 is being investigated.

However, if, when switching between driving modes is performed, the timing of completion of the switching of the position or posture of the seat does not coincide with the timing of completion of the display switching, there may be a case where the display switching will be completed some time after completion of the seat switching, or a case where the seat switching will be completed some time after completion of the display switching. In such cases, there are two timings at which an occupant can feel that the driving mode has been switched, and thus the occupant cannot be strongly impressed with the switching of driving mode.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a display device for vehicles that can strongly impress an occupant with switching of driving mode.

1 50 11 22 17 11 22 12 12 11 11 13 22 11 12 12 15 15 50 b a b a b a The present invention is a display device for vehicles, for being installed in a vehicle C including a seatfor an occupant DR and a light transmissive member WS and for emitting display light L, Lfrom an emission porttoward the light transmissive member WS to switchably cause a first display image VI or a second display image RI, which are display images represented by the display light L, L, to be visible. The display device for vehicles includes, a display unit,that includes a display component, transmits light emitted by a light source,, and displays the first display image VI or the second display image RI, a reflection unitthat reflects, toward the light transmissive member WS, first display light Lor second display light Lrepresenting the first display image VI or the second display image RI displayed on the display unit,, respectively, and a control unit. The control unitexecutes, a display switching process for performing display switching to cause the first display image VI to be visible when the vehicle C is in a manual driving mode, and to cause the second display image RI to be visible when the vehicle C is in an automatic driving mode, a seat detection process for detecting switching of the position or posture of the seatin association with switching between the manual driving mode and the automatic driving mode of the vehicle C, and a switching notification process for providing switching notification by dynamic display of a first image or a second image corresponding to the first display image VI and the second display image RI, respectively, during the switching between the first display image VI and the second display image RI in the display switching process.

According to the present invention, an occupant can be strongly impressed with switching of driving mode.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

1 FIG. 1 FIG. 1 10 11 12 11 10 11 12 11 13 22 12 11 12 15 12 12 10 10 10 10 13 15 16 16 17 11 22 18 17 12 12 b b b b a a a a b a b a b a b a b a is a diagram illustrating configuration of a head-up display device (hereinafter referred to as an HUD device) which is a display device for vehicles according to the present embodiment. An HUD deviceinincludes a first PGUincluding a first light sourcethat emits light in the visible wavelength range, for example, and a first display unitthat transmits the light emitted by the first light sourceand displays a virtual image VI (a first display image) of a display image that is formed in front of a driver DR (an occupant), a second PGUincluding a second light sourcethat emits light in the visible wavelength range, for example, and a second display unitthat transmits the light emitted by the second light sourceand displays a real image RI (a second display image) of the display image that is formed in front of the driver DR, a reflection unitthat reflects, toward a windshield WS (a light transmissive member), first display light Lrepresenting the display image (the first display image) displayed on the first display unitand second display light Lrepresenting the display image (the second display image) displayed on the second display unit, and a control unitthat performs control of display content of the first display unitand the second display unit, and switching control between the first PGUand the second PGU, and the like. The first PGU, the second PGU, the reflecting unit, and the control unitare housed in a housing. The housingis provided with an opening portion(an emission port) through which the second display light Land the first display light Lare emitted, and a cover glassfor protecting the inside is disposed at the opening portion. The first display unitand the second display unitare examples of a display unit.

10 10 15 10 10 15 b a b a 1 FIG. Note that the first PGUand the second PGUmay be controlled by a single control unit, as illustrated in, or the first PGUand the second PGUmay each include an individual control unit and these individual control units may be cooperatively controlled by the control unit.

1 22 11 22 11 12 1 11 11 12 1 b b a a The HUD deviceis disposed below the windshield WS of a vehicle C (for example, inside an instrument panel), and emits and projects the first display light Land the second display light Lonto the windshield WS. The first display light Lis generated by the first light sourceand the first display unitinside the HUD device, and the second display light Lis generated by the second light sourceand the second display unitinside the HUD device.

22 12 11 12 13 17 16 18 11 22 b a The first display light Lemitted from the first display unitand the second display light Lemitted from the second display unitare guided by the reflection unitand emitted from the opening portionof the housingthrough the cover glass. When the driver DR of the vehicle C visually recognizes the second display light Lreflected by the windshield WS, the driver DR can visually recognize the real image RI on the near side relative to the windshield WS (a real image display state). When the driver DR visually recognizes the first display light Lreflected by the windshield WS, the driver DR can visually recognize the virtual image VI on the far side relative to the windshield WS (a virtual image display state).

1 FIG. The virtual image VI indisplays information to be provided to the driver DR at a high priority, such as vehicle information including the speed and engine speed of the vehicle C, a route guidance display including turn-by-turn navigation and a map, and a warning display including a blind spot indicator and a speed limit exceeding warning, on the far side relative to the windshield WS as seen from the driver DR.

1 FIG. The real image RI indisplays, for example, entertainment content, an assistant or agent that supports the driver DR, or a character representing them, on the near side relative to the windshield WS as seen from the driver DR. These displays provide a driving environment with reduced need for eye movement and eye focal length adjustment. The virtual image VI and real image RI include a background portion in addition to characters and icons representing such information, and the background portion has, for example, a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view when viewed from the driver DR.

10 11 12 17 11 11 15 a a a a 1 FIG. In the second PGU, the second light sourceis, for example, a light-emitting diode that emits light in the visible wavelength range and is mounted on a wiring board, and emits white light. The second display unitis provided closer to the opening portionalong the optical path than the second light source, and includes a TFT-type second display component (not illustrated in) that forms the second display light Lrepresenting any image in accordance with a control signal sent from the control unit.

10 11 12 17 11 22 15 b b b b 1 FIG. In the first PGU, the first light sourceis, for example, a light-emitting diode that emits light in the visible wavelength range and is mounted on a wiring board, and emits white light. The first display unitis provided closer to the opening portionalong the optical path than the first light source, and includes a TFT-type first display component (not illustrated in) that forms the first display light Lrepresenting any image in accordance with a control signal sent from the control unit.

10 10 11 11 b a b a. In addition to the above, in the first PGUand the second PGU, optical components such as a condenser lens, a lenticular lens, a diffuser, and a polarizer may be disposed at any position downstream of the first light sourceand the second light source

1 FIG. 13 1310 11 12 1320 1320 11 1310 1330 1330 11 1310 1320 22 1320 17 a In, the reflection unitincludes a second correction mirrorthat reflects the second display light Lemitted from the second display unittoward a first correction mirror, the first correction mirrorthat reflects the second display light Lemitted from the second correction mirrortoward a concave mirror, and the concave mirrorthat receives the second display light Lreflected and redirected by the second correction mirrorand the first correction mirrorand the first display light Lthat has passed through the first correction mirrorand reflects them toward the opening portion.

1320 1310 1320 22 12 22 1320 1330 b The first correction mirrorand the second correction mirrorhave mirror surfaces and have complex free-form shapes to correct distortion of the image to be visually recognized by the driver DR. The first correction mirroris, for example, a half mirror, and transmits the first display light Lwhich represents the virtual image VI displayed on the first display unit. The first display light Lthat has passed through the first correction mirroris directly incident on the concave mirror.

1330 11 22 11 22 The concave mirroris rotatably installed and rotates in accordance with the position of the eyes of the driver DR to freely change the emission directions of the second display light Land the first display light Lto adjust the position of the image. In particular, the angle of the display plane when the real image RI is displayed by the second display light Lmay desirably be different from that when the virtual image VI is displayed by the first display light L(for example, the virtual image VI is displayed in a state of being inclined relative to the road surface, while the real image RI is displayed in a state of standing perpendicularly to the road surface). Such adjustment by rotational drive makes it possible to display the display images at angles appropriate for the real image RI and virtual image VI, respectively.

1310 11 17 10 10 1 1320 1330 a a The second correction mirroris disposed along the optical path of the second display light Lcloser to the opening portionthan the second PGU, and is disposed closer to the second PGUthan a second optical focus Fof the imaging optical system including the windshield WS, the first correction mirror, and the concave mirror.

12 10 22 17 2 1330 b b The first display unitof the first PGUis disposed along the optical path of the first display light Lcloser to the opening portionthan the position of a first optical focus Fof the imaging optical system including the windshield WS and the concave mirror.

1320 1330 12 b In the optical system formed by the first correction mirror, the concave mirror, and the windshield WS, the first display unitis located outside the focal length of that optical system.

1320 1310 1330 12 1310 1320 a In the optical system formed by the first correction mirror, the second correction mirror, the concave mirror, and the windshield WS, the second display unitis located inside the focal length of that optical system (in the present disclosure, between the second correction mirrorand the first correction mirror).

11 10 11 10 1310 1320 1330 a a a In this configuration, when the second light sourceis turned on, i.e., when the second PGUis ON, the second display light Lemitted from the second PGUis reflected by the second correction mirror, the first correction mirror, the concave mirror, and the windshield WS, and thus the driver DR can visually recognize the real image RI on the inside of the vehicle relative to the windshield WS.

11 10 22 10 1320 1330 b b b Furthermore, when the first light sourceis turned on, i.e., when the first PGUis ON, the first display light Lemitted from the first PGUpasses through the first correction mirrorand is reflected by the concave mirrorand the windshield WS, and thus the driver DR can visually recognize the virtual image VI on the outside of the vehicle relative to the windshield WS.

12 12 12 12 11 22 b a b a In reality, countless rays of light are emitted from the first display unitand the second display unit, but for ease of explanation, the light emitted from the center of each of the first display unitand the second display unitand passing through the center of an eyebox will be referred to as representative rays and will be denoted by the reference symbols Land L.

1 FIG. 12 12 12 12 12 12 b a b a b a In addition, in, representative rays emitted from the centers of the first display unitand the second display unitare illustrated by solid lines, rays emitted from the upper end portions of the first display unitand the second display unitare illustrated by dash-dot lines, and rays emitted from the lower end portions of the first display unitand the second display unitare illustrated by dash-dot-dot lines.

15 15 10 10 11 11 12 12 b a b a b a The control unitincludes a computer including a CPU that executes various pre-stored programs by utilizing the temporary storage function of the memory, a memory including a storage device including a RAM and a ROM, and the like. The control unitcooperatively controls at least the first PGUand the second PGU, and performs control for switching between the real image RI and the virtual image VI by turning on/off the first light sourceand turning on/off the second light source, control of the display contents of the first display unit, control of the display contents of the second display unit, etc.

2 FIG. 15 1 15 21 22 23 is a functional block diagram illustrating functional configuration of the control unitin the HUD deviceaccording to the present embodiment. The control unitincludes a detection unit, a switching processing unit, and a display control unit.

21 25 50 52 51 21 The detection unitacquires, as external information, information regarding the position or posture of a seat(for example, the reclining angle of a backrest portiondescribed below and the sliding position of a seat portionin the front-rear direction, etc.) that is switched in accordance with switching between the manual driving mode and the automatic driving mode of the vehicle C, for example, and detects the timing of switching between the automatic driving mode and the manual driving mode. This process executed by the detection unitis an example of a seat detection process.

21 21 22 10 10 10 10 b a a b Based on detection result of the detection unitor based on detection information of the detection unit, the switching processing unitperforms switching from the display state of the virtual image VI to the display state of the real image RI (i.e., turns off the first PGUand turns on the second PGU), or switching from the display state of the real image RI to the display state of the virtual image VI (i.e., turns off the second PGUand turns on the first PGU).

50 22 50 51 3 7 FIGS.to Specifically, if the vehicle C is in the manual driving mode and accordingly, the seatis in a driving position (a seat state during normal driving. See,, and the like described later), the switching processing unitcauses the virtual image VI to be displayed, and if the vehicle C is in the automatic driving mode and accordingly, the seatis in a relaxed position (a state in which the seat portionis reclined or is at a rearward position compared to the driving position.

3 7 FIGS.to 22 22 See,, and the like described later), the switching processing unitcauses the real image RI to be displayed. This process executed by the switching processing unitis an example of a display switching process.

23 30 12 12 b a. The display control unitcontrols, based on information input from various devicesincluding a memory and the like, the display contents of the first display unitand the second display unit

23 12 12 30 10 10 b a b a Specifically, the display control unitoutputs control signals to the first display unitand the second display unitto generate light representing a figure of any shape based on information sent from the various devicessuch as a vehicle speed sensor, a navigation device, a Radio Detecting and Ranging (RADAR) device, and a Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR, also called Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging) device, and/or content information pre-registered in a memory, etc. As a result, the first PGUand the second PGUdisplay the desired display images, respectively.

22 50 As described above, in the present embodiment, to improve the driving assistance function for the driver DR, the switching processing unitperforms switching between displaying the real image RI and displaying the virtual image VI in accordance with switching of the position or posture of the seatof the vehicle C in association with switching of the driving mode of the vehicle C (switching between the manual driving mode and the automatic driving mode).

50 50 50 However, if, when switching between driving modes is performed, the timing of completion of the switching of the position or posture of the seatdoes not coincide with the timing of completion of the display switching, there may be a case where the display switching will be completed some time after completion of switching of the seat, or a case where switching of the seatwill be completed some time after completion of the display switching. In such cases, there are two timings at which the driver DR can feel that the driving mode has been switched. Therefore, the above configuration may not strongly impress the driver DR with switching of driving mode.

24 15 22 24 12 12 23 24 b a One of characteristics of the present embodiment is that, to solve the above problem, a predetermined switching notification is displayed under the control of the switching notification unitof the control unit, during switching between the virtual image VI and the real image RI by the switching processing unit. Specifically, the switching notification unitcontrols the display contents of the first display unitand the second display unit, such that dynamic display of a first image or a second image corresponding to the virtual image VI and the real image RI, respectively (details thereof will be described later) is performed as the switching notification, by outputting, to the display control unit, a signal for performing dynamic display of the first image or the second image. This process executed by the switching notification unitis an example of a display notification process.

3 FIG. is an explanatory diagram illustrating behavior of the above-mentioned dynamic display when switching from the manual driving mode to the automatic driving mode is performed. As described above, the vehicle C has the manual driving mode in which the driver DR performs driving operations, and the automatic driving mode in which the vehicle C is automatically driven by a computer. In response to detection of a predetermined trigger (for example, operation on an automatic/manual selector switch by the driver DR, entering a highway or general road, or timing of parking, stopping, or driving, etc.), switching between the manual driving mode and the automatic driving mode is executed.

50 51 52 The seatprovided in the vehicle C includes the seat portionon which the driver DR sits, and the backrest portion.

52 50 52 50 52 3 FIG. In the manual driving mode, a known drive control device (not illustrated) installed in the vehicle C reduces the tilt angle of the backrest portionof the seaton which the driver DR sits (the backrest portionis in an upright state), as illustrated on the left side of. This tilt angle refers to the rearward rotation angle relative to the state in which the angle between the seat surface of the seat, which is arranged horizontally (in parallel to the front-rear direction), and the backrest portionis an approximately right angle.

51 50 52 52 51 50 3 FIG. Alternatively, the height of the seat surface of the seat portionmay be increased. These states of the seatare the so-called driving positions. In contrast, in the automatic driving mode, the tilt angle of the backrest portionis increased (state in which the backrest portionis reclined), as illustrated on the right side of. Alternatively, the height of the seat surface of the seat portionmay be lowered. These states of the seatare the so-called relaxed position (reclining position).

40 52 15 21 40 25 21 52 In this example, a measurement sensorprovided at a lower part of the backrest portionmeasures the tilt angle and outputs the tilt angle to the control unit. The detection unitacquires the measurement result of the measurement sensoras the external informationto detect switching between the manual driving mode and the automatic driving mode in the vehicle C. In this case, the detection unitdetects an angle change process executed in the vehicle C for changing the tilt angle of the backrest portion.

51 40 21 25 21 51 When an appropriate sensor is used to detect the height of the seat surface of the seat portion, instead of the measurement sensor, the detection unitacquires the measurement result of the sensor as the external informationto detect switching between the manual driving mode and the automatic driving mode in the vehicle C. In this case, the detection unitdetects an upward-downward change process executed in the vehicle C that changes the position of the seat portionin the up-down direction.

50 22 50 22 3 FIG. 3 FIG. As described above, in the manual driving mode, the seatis in the driving position as illustrated on the left side of, and the switching processing unitcauses the virtual image VI to be displayed. In the automatic driving mode, the seatis in the relaxed position as illustrated on the right side of, and the switching processing unitcauses the real image RI to be displayed.

50 21 24 22 When the driving mode is switched from the manual driving mode to the automatic driving mode, increase in the tilt angle of the seat(from the driving position to the relaxed position) is detected by the detection unit. In response to the detection, as illustrated above the thick dashed arrow in the figure, the switching notification unitperforms control for upward sliding, as a dynamic display, of the first image corresponding to the virtual image VI that had been displayed until then (in this example, the first image is the virtual image VI itself, but may also be another appropriate image corresponding to the virtual image VI), out of a background image BK located within the field of view of the driver DR, and as a result, the first image exits from the background image BK. This is followed by a state where only the background image BK is displayed, as illustrated in the middle section of the thick dashed line (in other words, a no image state where neither the virtual image VI nor the real image RI is displayed). Then, as illustrated below the thick dashed arrow in the figure, the second image corresponding to the real image RI (in this example, the second image is the real image RI itself, but may also be another appropriate image corresponding to the real image RI) slides from below into the background image BK located within the field of view of the driver DR, as a dynamic display. Finally, after achieving a state where the center of the second image substantially coincides with the center of the background image BK, switching to a display state of the real image RI corresponding to the automatic driving mode by the switching processing unitis performed.

4 FIG. is an explanatory diagram illustrating behavior of the above-mentioned dynamic display when switching from the automatic driving mode to the manual driving mode is performed.

50 22 4 FIG. As described above, in the automatic driving mode, the seatis in the relaxed position as illustrated on the left side of, and the switching processing unitcauses the real image RI to be displayed.

50 22 4 FIG. In the manual driving mode, the seatis in the driving position as illustrated on the right side of, and the switching processing unitcauses the virtual image VI to be displayed.

50 21 24 When the driving mode is switched from the automatic driving mode to the manual driving mode, decrease in the tilt angle of the seat(from the relaxed position to the driving position) is detected by the detection unit. In response to the detection, as illustrated above the thick dashed arrow in the figure, the switching notification unitperforms control for downward sliding, as a dynamic display, of the second image corresponding to the real image RI that had been displayed until then (in this example, the second image is the real image RI itself, but may also be another appropriate image corresponding to the real image RI), out of the background image BK located within the field of view of the driver DR, and as a result, the second image exits from the background image BK. This is followed by a state where only the background image BK is displayed, as illustrated in the middle section of the thick dashed line (in other words, a no image state where neither the real image RI nor the virtual image VI is displayed). Then, as illustrated below the thick dashed arrow in the figure, the first image corresponding to the virtual image VI (in this example, the first image is the virtual image VI itself, but may also be another appropriate image corresponding to the virtual image VI) slides from above into the background image BK located within the field of view of the driver DR, as a dynamic display.

22 Finally, after achieving a state where the center of the first image substantially coincides with the center of the background image BK, switching to a display state of the virtual image VI corresponding to the manual driving mode by the switching processing unitis performed.

24 50 5 5 FIGS.A andB Another one of characteristics of the present embodiment is that during the display switching between the virtual image VI and the real image RI, the timing of execution of the dynamic display of the switching notification under the control of the switching notification unitis caused to coincide with the timing of switching of the position or posture of the seat. This will be explained with reference to.

5 FIG.A 3 FIG. is a diagram illustrating a time chart of switching from the manual driving mode to the automatic driving mode, as described above with reference to.

50 22 1 50 50 6 FIG. As described above, in the manual driving mode, the seatis in the driving position, and the switching processing unitof the HUD devicedisplays the virtual image VI. In the present embodiment, at the timing of switching from the manual driving mode to the automatic driving mode, switching of the seatfrom the driving position to the relaxed position is started, and the above-described dynamic display (slide-out in the above-mentioned example, or fade-out in a variation illustrated in, which will be described later) of the first image corresponding to the virtual image VI (the virtual image VI itself in the above-mentioned example) is started. That is, the timing of the start of the dynamic display coincides with the timing of the start of the switching of the seat.

50 50 50 6 FIG. In the present embodiment, when the switching of the seatstarted as described above is completed and the seatis in the relaxed position, the above-described dynamic display (slide-in in the above-mentioned example, or fade-in in the variation illustrated in, which will be described later) of the second image corresponding to the above-described real image RI (the real image RI itself in the above example), which has already been started subsequent to the above-described dynamic display of the first image (and the intermediate state in which no image is displayed), is completed. That is, the timing of the completion of the dynamic display coincides with the timing of the completion of the switching of the seat.

5 FIG.B 4 FIG. is a diagram illustrating a time chart of switching from the automatic driving mode to the manual driving mode, as described above with reference to.

50 22 1 50 50 7 FIG. As described above, in the automatic driving mode, the seatis in the relaxed position, and the switching processing unitof the HUD devicedisplays the real image RI. In the present embodiment, at the timing of switching from the automatic driving mode to the manual driving mode, switching of the seatfrom the relaxed position to the driving position is started, and the above-described dynamic display (slide-out in the above-mentioned example, or fade-out in a variation illustrated in, which will be described later) of the second image corresponding to the real image RI (the real image RI itself in the above-mentioned example) is started. That is, the timing of the start of the dynamic display coincides with the timing of the start of the switching of the seat.

50 50 50 7 FIG. In the present embodiment, when the switching of the seatstarted as described above is completed and the seatis in the driving position, the above-described dynamic display (slide-in in the above-mentioned example, or fade-in in the variation illustrated in, which will be described later) of the first image corresponding to the above-described virtual image VI (the virtual image VI itself in the above example), which has already been started subsequent to the above-described dynamic display of the second image (and the intermediate state in which no image is displayed), is completed. That is, the timing of the completion of the dynamic display coincides with the timing of the completion of the switching of the seat.

5 5 FIGS.A andB 50 50 Note that, in either case of, as long as the timing of the completion of the dynamic display coincides with the timing of the completion of the switching of the seat, the timing of the start of the dynamic display may not necessarily coincide with the timing of the start of the switching of the seat.

15 15 50 50 In the present embodiment configured as described above, the vehicle C has two driving modes: the manual driving mode and the automatic driving mode. The control unitexecutes the display switching process when selective switching between the two driving modes is performed. In the display switching process, display switching is performed to cause the virtual image VI to be visible to the driver DR during the manual driving mode, and to cause the real image RI to be visible to the driver DR during the automatic driving mode. The control unitdetects, in the seat detection process, switching of the seatexecuted in the vehicle C in association with switching between the above two driving modes. In the seat detection process, switching of the position or posture of the seatcorresponding to the switching of the driving mode is detected.

15 1 The control unitof the HUD deviceof the present embodiment executes the switching notification process during switching between the virtual image VI and the real image RI in the display switching process, in association with switching between the two driving modes. In the switching notification process, a predetermined switching notification is performed using dynamic display of the first image corresponding to the virtual image VI or the second image corresponding to the real image RI. As a result, switching notification is provided by dynamic display of the first image or the second image both during display switching from the virtual image VI to the real image RI and during display switching from the real image RI to the virtual image VI, and thus the driver DR can be strongly impressed with the switching of the driving mode.

50 50 In particular, in the present embodiment, the timing of completion of switching of the position or posture of the seatdetected in the seat detection process and the timing of completion of the switching notification by the dynamic display of the first image or the second image in the switching notification process, in association with the switching between the two driving modes mentioned above, coincide with each other. This provides an indication that the completion of the dynamic display is the same as the completion of the switching of the seat, and thus the driver DR can be surely and strongly impressed with the switching of the driving mode.

50 50 In particular, in the present embodiment, the timing of start of switching of the position or posture of the seatdetected in the seat detection process and the timing of start of the switching notification by the dynamic display of the first image or the second image in the switching notification process, in association with the switching between the two driving modes mentioned above, coincide with each other. This provides an indication that the start of the dynamic display is the same as the start of the switching of the seat, and thus the driver DR can be more surely and strongly impressed with the switching of the driving mode.

52 51 In particular, in the present embodiment, a change in the tilt angle of the backrest portion, the position of the seat portionin the up-down direction, or the like is detected in the seat detection process, and slide-in and slide-out of the first image or the second image is performed in the switching notification process, and thus the present embodiment can provide a specific configuration for executing these two processes in conjunction with each other.

Instead of slide-in and slide-out of the first image or the second image, fade-in and fade-out of the first image or the second image may be performed as in a variation (1) described below.

52 50 In particular, in the present embodiment, in the seat detection process, a reclining motion to the back side or the opposite motion to the upright state is detected based on a change in the tilt angle of the backrest portionof the seat, and slide-in and slide-out of the first image or the second image is performed in the switching notification process, and thus these two processes can be performed in conjunction with each other.

50 52 In particular, in the present embodiment, when the display is switched from the virtual image VI to the real image RI, the tilt angle of the seatis increased, the backrest portionis tilted, the driver DR's head is moved downward, and the field of view is moved upward. In accordance with this, the first image corresponding to the virtual image VI slides upward relative to the field of view of the driver DR and disappears (=slide-out), and the second image corresponding to the real image RI emerges by sliding from below into the field of view of the driver DR (=slide-in).

50 52 Similarly, when the display is switched from the real image RI to the virtual image VI, the tilt angle of the seatis decreased, the backrest portionis moved to the upright state, the driver DR's head is moved upward, and the field of view is moved downward. In accordance with this, the second image corresponding to the real image RI slides downward relative to the field of view of the driver DR and disappears (=slide-out), and the first image corresponding to the virtual image VI emerges by sliding from above into the field of view of the driver DR (=slide-in).

50 According to the present embodiment, as described above, switching notification is provided in a manner that matches the change in the height position of the driver DR's field of view due to change in the posture of the seat, and thus the driver DR can be more effectively impressed with the switching of driving mode.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the spirit and technical concept of the present invention. Such variations will be explained below in order.

(1) Fade-In and Fade-Out in Accordance with Sliding of Seat Portion

52 50 51 50 In the above embodiment, the angle of the backrest portionof the seatis changed when the driving mode is switched, and slide-in and slide-out of the virtual image VI and real image RI are performed accordingly in the switching notification process, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In this variation, the position of the seat portionof the seatin the front-rear direction is changed (slid) when the driving mode is switched. In accordance with this, fade-in and fade-out of the virtual image VI and the real image RI are performed in the switching notification process.

6 FIG. 3 FIG. is an explanatory diagram corresponding toof the above embodiment, and illustrates behavior of the dynamic display in this variation when switching from the manual driving mode to the automatic driving mode is performed.

51 50 50 50 51 50 6 FIG. 6 FIG. 6 FIG. In this variation, in the manual driving mode, a known drive control device (not illustrated) installed in the vehicle C moves the seat portionof the seaton which the driver DR sits, to a front side position in the front-rear direction, as illustrated on the left side of(a position of the seatslid forward from the position illustrated on the right side of). In this variation, this state of the seatis the driving position. In contrast, in the automatic driving mode, the seat portionof the seatis at a rear side position in the front-rear direction, as illustrated on the right side of. This state is the so-called relaxed position (reclining position).

15 21 25 21 51 In this example, an appropriate sensor (not illustrated) measures the slide position in the front-rear direction and outputs the result to the control unit. The detection unitacquires the measurement result as the external informationto detect switching between the manual driving mode and the automatic driving mode in the vehicle C. In this case, the detection unitdetects a forward-rearward change process executed in the vehicle C that changes the position of the seat portionin the front-rear direction.

51 Note that, in this variation, similarly to the above, the switching between the manual driving mode and the automatic driving mode may be detected by detecting the height of the seat surface of the seat portionwith an appropriate sensor.

6 FIG. 6 FIG. 6 FIG. 50 22 50 22 In, in the manual driving mode, the seatis in the driving position as illustrated on the left side of, and the switching processing unitcauses the virtual image VI to be displayed. In the automatic driving mode, the seatis in the relaxed position as illustrated on the right side of, and the switching processing unitcauses the real image RI to be displayed.

50 21 24 22 When the driving mode is switched from the manual driving mode to the automatic driving mode, rearward motion (in the front-rear direction) of the seat(from the driving position to the relaxed position) is detected by the detection unit. In response to the detection, as illustrated above the thick dashed arrow in the figure, the switching notification unitperforms control, as a dynamic display, such that brightness of the first image corresponding to the virtual image VI that had been displayed until then (in this example, the first image is the virtual image VI itself, but may also be another appropriate image corresponding to the virtual image VI), is reduced in the background image BK located within the field of view of the driver DR and the first image becomes dim and disappears (fades-out). This is followed by a state where only the background image BK is displayed, as illustrated in the middle section of the thick dashed line (in other words, a no image state where neither the virtual image VI nor the real image RI is displayed). Then, as illustrated below the thick dashed arrow in the figure, brightness of the second image corresponding to the real image RI (in this example, the second image is the real image RI itself, but may also be another appropriate image corresponding to the real image RI) is increased in contrast to the above and the second image gradually becomes clear, as a dynamic display, and emerges in the background image BK located within the field of view of the driver DR (fades-in). Finally, after achieving a state where the second image is displayed completely clearly within the background image BK, switching to a display state of the real image RI corresponding to the automatic driving mode by the switching processing unitis performed.

7 FIG. is an explanatory diagram illustrating behavior of the above-mentioned dynamic display when switching from the automatic driving mode to the manual driving mode is performed.

50 22 7 FIG. As described above, in the automatic driving mode, the seatis in the relaxed position as illustrated on the left side of, and the switching processing unitcauses the real image RI to be displayed.

50 22 7 FIG. In the manual driving mode, the seatis in the driving position as illustrated on the right side of, and the switching processing unitcauses the virtual image VI to be displayed.

50 21 24 22 When the driving mode is switched from the automatic driving mode to the manual driving mode, forward motion (in the front-rear direction) of the seat(from the relaxed position to the driving position) is detected by the detection unit. In response to the detection, as illustrated above the thick dashed arrow in the figure, the switching notification unitperforms control, as a dynamic display, such that brightness of the second image corresponding to the real image RI that had been displayed until then (in this example, the second image is the real image RI itself, but may also be another appropriate image corresponding to the real image RI), is reduced in the background image BK located within the field of view of the driver DR and the second image becomes dim and disappears (fades-out). This is followed by a state where only the background image BK is displayed, as illustrated in the middle section of the thick dashed line (in other words, a no image state where neither the real image RI nor the virtual image VI is displayed). Then, as illustrated below the thick dashed arrow in the figure, brightness of the first image corresponding to the virtual image VI (in this example, the first image is the virtual image VI itself, but may also be another appropriate image corresponding to the virtual image VI) is increased in contrast to the above and the first image gradually becomes clear, as a dynamic display, and emerges in the background image BK located within the field of view of the driver DR (fades-in). Finally, after achieving a state where the first image is displayed completely clearly within the background image BK, switching to a display state of the virtual image VI corresponding to the manual driving mode by the switching processing unitis performed.

24 50 5 5 FIGS.A andB 5 5 FIGS.A andB In this variation, as in the above embodiment, when the display switching between the virtual image VI and the real image RI is performed, the timing of execution of the dynamic display of the switching notification under the control of the switching notification unitis caused to coincide with the timing of switching of the position or posture of the seat. Processing for this can be the same as or similar to that illustrated in(in, “dynamic in” corresponds to fade-in, and “dynamic out” corresponds to fade-out), so description thereof is omitted.

50 In this variation, similar effects as those of the above embodiment are achieved. In other words, switching notification is provided by dynamic display of the first image or the second image both during display switching from the virtual image VI to the real image RI and during display switching from the real image RI to the virtual image VI, and thus the driver DR can be strongly impressed with the switching of the driving mode. Furthermore, an indication that the completion of the dynamic display is the same as the completion of the switching of the seatis provided, and thus the driver DR can be surely and strongly impressed with the switching of the driving mode.

51 In particular, in this variation, a change in the position of the seat portionin the front-rear direction is detected in the seat detection process, and fade-in and fade-out of the first image or the second image are performed in the switching notification process, and thus the present embodiment can provide a specific configuration for executing these two processes in conjunction with each other.

Instead of fade-in and fade-out of the first image or the second image, slide-in and slide-out of the first image or the second image may be performed as in the above-described embodiment.

51 50 In particular, in this variation, a rearward motion or the opposite motion to the front side of the seat portionof the seatis detected in the seat detection process, and fade-in and fade-out of the first image or the second image are performed in the switching notification process, and thus these two processes can be performed in conjunction with each other.

51 In particular, in this variation, when the display is switched from the virtual image VI to the real image RI, the seat portionmoves rearward, and the position of the driver DR also moves rearward. In accordance with this, the brightness of the first image corresponding to the virtual image VI is reduced and the first image becomes dim and disappears (fades-out), and the brightness of the second image corresponding to the real image RI is increased and the second image gradually becomes clear to emerge (fades-in).

50 Similarly, when the display is switched from the real image RI to the virtual image VI, the seatmoves forward and the position of the driver DR also moves forward. In accordance with this, the brightness of the second image corresponding to the real image RI is reduced and the second image becomes dim and disappears (fades-out), and the brightness of the first image corresponding to the virtual image VI is increased and the first image gradually becomes clear to emerge (fades-in).

50 According to this variation, as described above, switching notification is provided in a manner that matches the change in the position of the driver DR due to change in the position of the seat, and thus the driver DR can be more effectively impressed with the switching of driving mode.

(2) Changing of Posture of Concave Mirror in Conjunction with Dynamic Display of Switching Notification

50 52 50 52 In the above embodiment, as described above, for the manual driving mode, the seattransitions to the driving position with a small tilt angle of the backrest portionand switching to a state of displaying the virtual image VI is performed, and for the automatic driving mode, the seattransitions to the relaxed position with a large tilt angle of the backrest portionand switching to a state of displaying the real image RI is performed.

1 2 1 2 11 22 2 8 FIG.A 8 FIG.B 8 8 FIGS.A andB In the driving position, display processing is executed such that the driver DR visually recognizes the virtual image VI in the region of an eyebox Ey, as illustrated by the solid line in, and in the relaxed position, display processing is executed such that the driver DR visually recognizes the real image RI in the region of an eyebox Ey, as illustrated by the solid line in. The driver DR of vehicle C can visually recognize the virtual image VI and the real image RI which are displayed on the far side and the near side relative to the windshield WS, respectively, by visually recognizing, at a viewpoint in the region of an eyebox Ey (Ey, Ey), the display light L, Lreflected by the windshield WS. Here, as illustrated in, in the vehicle C, the center position of the eyebox Eyl is set to be located forward of and above the eyebox Ey.

15 1330 1330 In this variation, a concave mirror switching process for switching the posture of the concave mirror such that dynamic display of the above-described switching notification is performed at a position in the up-down direction in accordance with a change in the eyebox Ey of the driver DR between the driving position and the relaxed position, is executed by the control unitoutputting a control signal to an appropriate drive mechanism (not illustrated) that rotates the concave mirrorto change the posture of the concave mirror.

50 52 50 21 15 1330 13 52 50 As described above, a change in posture of the seatby a reclining motion to the back side or the opposite motion to the upright state of the backrest portionof the seatdue to a change in the tilt angle, which is detected in the seat detection process executed by the detection unit, results in a change in a position of the eyebox Ey of the driver DR in a height direction. In accordance with this, in this variation, the control unitexecutes the concave mirror switching process to switch the posture of the concave mirrorprovided in the reflection unit, such that dynamic display is performed at a position in the up-down direction in accordance with the change in the eyebox Ey. Such switching notification performed in a manner that matches the positional change of the eyebox Ey allows the driver DR to surely visually recognize the switching notification even while changing the angle of the backrest portionof the seat.

In the above, the slide-in and slide-out, fade-in and fade-out are performed as the dynamic display of switching notification, but instead of these, zoom-in, which gradually enlarges the display while narrowing the display range, and conversely, zoom-out, which gradually reduces the display while widening the display range, may be performed.

1 10 10 b a In addition, in the above description, the display device for vehiclesswitches the display between the virtual image VI and the real image RI by alternately turning on/off the two PGUs (the first PGUand the second PGU), but the present invention is not limited thereto.

13 For example, one display unit may include a switching component that switches the polarization of the emitted display light between S-polarization and P-polarization. In this case, the reflection unitincludes a first mirror that reflects S-polarized display light and transmits P-polarized display light, a second mirror that reflects the display light passing through the first mirror, and a third mirror that reflects the display light reflected by the first mirror and the display light reflected by the second mirror and emits the reflected light onto the windshield WS.

To allow, in the manual driving mode, the driver DR to visually recognize the virtual image VI, the switching component is switched to emit the display light as S-polarized light, and a display image represented by the display light is displayed on the windshield WS by an imaging optical system formed by the first mirror, the third mirror, and the windshield WS. In addition, for example, to allow, in the automatic driving mode, the driver DR to visually recognize the real image RI, the switching component is switched to emit the display light as P-polarized light, and a display image represented by the display light is displayed on the windshield WS by an imaging optical system formed by the second mirror, the third mirror, and the windshield WS.

Note that any method other than the above methods can be used for display switching between the virtual image VI and the real image RI.

For example, display switching between the virtual image VI and the real image RI may be achieved by sliding motion of the position of one display unit in the optical axis direction to change the distance between the optical focus and the display unit. Alternatively, display switching between the virtual image VI and real image RI may be achieved by shifting the axis of the rays emitted from the display unit, to form a different optical system, when performing switching between displaying the virtual image VI and displaying the real image RI.

Furthermore, if it is desired to adjust the inclination angle of the virtual image VI and/or the real image RI relative to the road surface, a motor that enables pitching rotation of the display unit when the optical axis direction is the rolling axis may be included, for example. The tilt of the display unit may be changed by this motor to display the real image RI standing perpendicularly to the road surface, or the virtual image VI tilted relative to the road surface.

1 HUD device (display device for vehicles) 10 a Second PGU 10 b First PGU 11 a Second light source 11 b First light source 12 a Second display unit 12 b First display unit 13 Reflection unit 15 Control unit 16 Housing 17 Opening portion 18 Cover glass 21 Detection unit 22 Switching processing unit 23 Display control unit 24 Switching notification unit 25 External information 30 Various devices 40 Measurement sensor 50 Seat 51 Seat portion 52 Backrest portion 1310 Second correction mirror 1320 First correction mirror 1330 Concave mirror BK Background image C Vehicle DR Driver Eye Eyebox 1 EyEyebox 2 EyEyebox 1 FSecond optical focus 2 FFirst optical focus 11 LSecond display light 22 LFirst display light VI Virtual image RI Real image WS Windshield